Tracheo-bronchial adenoid cystic carcinoma: A retrospective study

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the trachea and bronchus is rare, representing 1% of all respiratory tract cancers. We presented our experiences in treating tracheal-bronchial ACC and the results of long-term surveillance.

We conducted a retrospective study of treating tracheo-bronchial ACC. From 2009 to 2014, 42 patients presented to our department. All of them received surgical resection and adjunctive therapy.

R0 resections were achieved in 33 patients, whereas 15 patients whose lesions spread outside the tracheo-bronchial lumens. Nine patients had R1 resections followed by radiation and chemotherapy. The 5 year survival rate of R1 resection group showed no difference compared to the R0 resection group, but the 5 year disease-free survival rate showed difference in extra-lumenal invasion (ELI) and non-ELI group (P = 0.0357 < 0.05), although no difference was seen in the overall survival rate in these two groups.

ACC of the trachea and bronchus is a rare and low-to-moderate grade malignant tumor. When the R0 resection is over risky or may cause mortal complication, the R1 resection with adjunctive therapy is acceptable for patients to obtain a promising prognosis, whereas pathological ELI is an adverse prognostic indicator.